New Case Filed Against Ahmad Batebi - 2003-11-29

A new case has been filed against Ahmad Batebi, as his father expressed concern over his son's health in prison. Mohammad Baqer Batebi told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) that new charges regarding participation in illegal organizations have been filed against Ahmad Batebi at the Evin Prosecutor's Office, due to his attendance at student iftar ceremonies and a meeting with Ligabo, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion. Ahmad Batebi, who was sentenced to ten years in prison for raising a blood-stained shirt during the events of July 9, 1999, was temporarily transferred outside the prison for treatment and met with Mr. Ligabo during this time. Shortly after this meeting, he was abducted and taken to an unknown location. Mr. Batebi's father considered the new case against his son as a cover-up for his previous sentence and noted that they visited him in Evin Prison last week, where he was in very poor physical and mental condition, raising their concerns. Mohammad Baqer Batebi also mentioned that his son was arrested by the Evin Prosecutor's Office before the end of his leave. Meanwhile, Ahmad Jannati, Secretary of the Guardian Council and Friday Prayer Leader of Tehran, today emphasized that foreign interference in Iran's affairs should cease, in response to recent criticisms from international human rights organizations regarding the current situation in Iran and the necessity for UN special rapporteurs to visit the country. Previously, Ahmad Batebi had stated to Radio Farda shortly after meeting with Ambeyi Ligabo that while there might be something resembling freedom of expression in Iran, there would never be security after that freedom, and it does not matter why or for what reasons they attended that meeting; the mere fact of attending is enough to jeopardize their safety.